Quote Unquote – Cusack Gordon, Managing Director, Leisure Sec plc

Jan 6, 2016

GT – What’s the most exciting thing about your job?

I have the opportunity to solve other people’s problems knowing my efforts will be appreciated. It’s exciting and rewarding. I work with a range of professionals all well versed in the ethos of “what if”. This makes every day different, as I can be creative knowing I have the resources to deliver.

GT – Who’s inspired you most in your career?

No single person has inspired me from the perspective of wanting to emulate their success. It was more about seeing how poorly some companies operated that I knew it was achievable to deliver service in a much better way.

GT – If you were an item in a supermarket, what would you be?

Discounted quality product of the day!

GT – If you had to do it all over again, what would you do different?

I would buy offices rather than rent them and I would not employ or involve family members in the business.

GT – What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you at work?

Forgetting an appointment with a client. I was happily sitting in my office at Henley-in-Arden dealing with business as usual when I received a call from the client saying he was going to be slightly late as he was five minutes away from our agreed meeting place in Birmingham city centre!

GT – Who or what makes you laugh?

I enjoy comedy shows such as Parks and Recreation and Modern Family. There is a long list but these are the top two right now.

GT – Do you have any hidden talents?

Drinking copious amounts of alcohol without falling over or slurring.

GT – Who would be your favourite party guest?

As it’s a party I would enjoy the company of Iggy Azalea.

GT – What is the greatest luxury in your life?

I have a home cinema.

GT – What is your favourite guilty pleasure?

I honestly never feel guilty about doing anything I enjoy but I suppose watching YouTube Vines might qualify!

GT – Do you have any secret ambitions?

I have some ideas about devices to make life more dignified for people in their later years and I believe there is at least one good book in all of us so I aim to write at least one.

GT – What’s your dream holiday destination?

A month in Australia is on my ‘to do’ list.

GT – What are your three favourite movies of all time?

Pulp Fiction, The Matrix and Highlander.

GT – What is your favourite book of all time?

It’s a toss-up between ‘Kane and Abel’ by Jeffery Archer and the ‘God Delusion’ by Richard Dawkins.

GT – What’s your favourite pastime?

Can’t decide between reading, drinking, eating and watching movies!

GT – If you won the Lottery, what would you do?

Read more, eat more, drink more and watch more movies.

GT – What would be your advice to someone thinking about coming into this industry (apart from “don’t do it”)?

It’s a two-part answer as from a ‘security operative’ point of view I would say: Work hard and maintain your integrity whatever the consequences or temptations.

As a security company owner’s point of view I would stress my earlier points: Buy your offices rather than rent them. Don’t employ or involve family in the business. Work smarter not harder and maintain your integrity whatever the consequences or temptations.

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The Grocery Trader is the monthly magazine for the UK multiple grocery industry. It is distributed in both printed and digital formats to named senior buyers and trading directors within the UK supermarkets, Co-ops and convenience store chains and other key grocery organisations, including buying groups. To contact us please click here